Isaiah 31:5 - As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.”
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What does "Isaiah 31:5" mean?
This verse from Isaiah 31:5 is a powerful and evocative promise of divine protection for Jerusalem. Let's break down its meaning:
"As birds hovering...": This is the central image and a powerful simile. It compares God's protection to a mother bird fiercely hovering over her nestlings, ready to defend them against any threat. Think of a bird spreading its wings, sheltering its young, and actively guarding them. This illustrates God's active, watchful, and protective care. This isn't a passive, distant watchfulness, but an involved and immediate defense.
"...so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem.": This is the application of the simile. "Yahweh of Armies" (or "Lord of Hosts") is a title for God that emphasizes his power and authority as commander of heavenly forces. He is not just any protector; he is the supreme, powerful God, and He will defend Jerusalem with the same fierce protectiveness as the hovering bird.
"He will protect and deliver it.": This reinforces the promise of protection. "Protect" speaks to safeguarding against harm, and "deliver" implies rescuing from existing danger. It is a dual assurance of both prevention and intervention.
"He will pass over and preserve it.": This phrase evokes the Passover story in Exodus, where God "passed over" the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague, sparing their firstborn sons. This association connects God's protection of Jerusalem to His historical acts of redemption. "Preserve" means to keep safe and maintain its existence, guaranteeing the city's survival.
Overall Meaning:
The verse offers a vivid and comforting image of God's unwavering commitment to protect Jerusalem. He will actively defend the city with the same fierce and tender care as a mother bird protects her young. His protection is not just passive but involves delivering the city from danger and ultimately preserving its existence, echoing His past acts of salvation. The verse is meant to inspire trust and hope in God's power and willingness to defend His people.
Context:
It's essential to remember that this verse is part of a larger passage. Isaiah warns the people of Judah against relying on alliances with Egypt for protection. Instead, he urges them to trust in Yahweh. This verse assures them that God Himself will be their protector, a much more reliable and powerful defender than any earthly alliance. The image of the hovering bird contrasts sharply with the perceived strength of human armies and alliances. It suggests that true security comes not from military might, but from dependence on God.
Isaiah 31:5 - As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.”
What does "Isaiah 31:5" mean?
This verse from Isaiah 31:5 is a powerful and evocative promise of divine protection for Jerusalem. Let's break down its meaning:
"As birds hovering...": This is the central image and a powerful simile. It compares God's protection to a mother bird fiercely hovering over her nestlings, ready to defend them against any threat. Think of a bird spreading its wings, sheltering its young, and actively guarding them. This illustrates God's active, watchful, and protective care. This isn't a passive, distant watchfulness, but an involved and immediate defense.
"...so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem.": This is the application of the simile. "Yahweh of Armies" (or "Lord of Hosts") is a title for God that emphasizes his power and authority as commander of heavenly forces. He is not just any protector; he is the supreme, powerful God, and He will defend Jerusalem with the same fierce protectiveness as the hovering bird.
"He will protect and deliver it.": This reinforces the promise of protection. "Protect" speaks to safeguarding against harm, and "deliver" implies rescuing from existing danger. It is a dual assurance of both prevention and intervention.
"He will pass over and preserve it.": This phrase evokes the Passover story in Exodus, where God "passed over" the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague, sparing their firstborn sons. This association connects God's protection of Jerusalem to His historical acts of redemption. "Preserve" means to keep safe and maintain its existence, guaranteeing the city's survival.
Overall Meaning:
The verse offers a vivid and comforting image of God's unwavering commitment to protect Jerusalem. He will actively defend the city with the same fierce and tender care as a mother bird protects her young. His protection is not just passive but involves delivering the city from danger and ultimately preserving its existence, echoing His past acts of salvation. The verse is meant to inspire trust and hope in God's power and willingness to defend His people.
Context:
It's essential to remember that this verse is part of a larger passage. Isaiah warns the people of Judah against relying on alliances with Egypt for protection. Instead, he urges them to trust in Yahweh. This verse assures them that God Himself will be their protector, a much more reliable and powerful defender than any earthly alliance. The image of the hovering bird contrasts sharply with the perceived strength of human armies and alliances. It suggests that true security comes not from military might, but from dependence on God.